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Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Undiscovered Balkans tour available at present.

Difficult - there were so many. Probably the walk in the Valbona Valley on a glorious day with the stunning mountain scenery and woods and having mountain tea and raki with a local family in their remote farmhouse. Our walk through the attractive town of Prizren, with its fortress and narrow, winding streets alongside the river, was another highlight and watching the world go by as we sat having lunch in one of the pavement cafes. The wine tasting in and around Rahovec was also an enjoyable experience. Sitting on the shore of Lake Ohrid looking across the water to the mountains beyond was another highlight.

Absolutely superb. He was very knowledgeable and interesting: we all learnt so much about Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia; not just about the history and archaeology but also the culture, way of life etc. As a native of Albania he was able to tell us all about the strong family links that Albanians retain. Endrit also coped superbly well with an accident that one of our group had, which involved getting her to hospital and then sadly, arranging for her to be flown back to her home in Italy. He was helpful at all times and nothing was too much trouble. He also had a very engaging sense of humour!

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Ensure you bring good walking shoes and a walking pole. Though our weather was generally good, wet weather gear is essential, as are warm clothes for the mountainous areas. A basic Albanian phrase book (if such exists)would be helpful, though Endrit did give us a sheet with everyday phrases in it.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

Visit these countries whilst they are still relatively undiscovered and undeveloped. If you have a chance (as I did) to have an extra day in Tirana at the end, there is plenty to see and do, including the main museum (excellent) and the cable car up the Dajti mountain behind the city.

5Mike Peterson,
14/08/14

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

The trip was very varied, offering everything from churches and mosques to excellent walks. It is impossible to pick out one thing that was any better than another. It was all very good.

Endrit was friendly, helpful, professional and knowledgeable. He had a huge store of knowledge to draw on, much of it from personal experience. Also our driver, Yari, was an excellent driver, as well as being very friendly. He spoke a few words of English, and was the first driver we have ever had who didn't smoke.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

The trip notes are, in parts, rather fanciful. A short hike to a nearby lake is actually a four or five hour hike climbing, often steeply, through about 1,000 feet. Remember, however, all walks are optional. There is an excellent bar at the start of that walk. Don't miss the lovely coffee, almost universally available throughout the area. If you're sending postcards, wait until you get to Pec. The Post Office is right opposite the hotel.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

The hotels were, with just one exception, outstanding. Don't expect anything like the other hotels in the Valbona Valley. There's no good hotels to choose from in the area, and you need to sacrifice comfort for the superb scenery and the excellent walk in the valley. The lager in the region is excellent (much better than in the UK), and the Raki is an experience not to be missed. The quality of the red wine is quite a surprise. Don't bother with a bottle, a half litre or litre carafe of draught red wine is fine, and is cheaper. Avoid the white, though. Some of the meals are included in the price. All the included meals were superb.

4.5,
07/10/13

Name

Gavin Orton

Tour Name

Undiscovered Balkans

Tour Code

KOA

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

In Albania, the walk in the beautiful Valbona Valley. In Kosovo, the pretty Ottoman town of Prizren and the frescoes in the Serbian churches. In Macedonia, charming Ohrid. Skopje is the ultimate in kitsch, with massive statues devoted to a bizarre cult of the (Greek) Alexander the Great.

Tour Leader Name

Eri

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Both the tour leader and driver were from Albania, and kept things running smoothly.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Read up in advance about the period after the collapse of the dictatorships, when everyone was fighting everyone else. The results are all too evident.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

The hotels were generally good, but the hotel in the Valbona Valley was very basic, not very clean, and suffered frequent powercuts. A torch is essential on this tour. It would have been better to spend a second night in Prizren rather than being driven out into the middle of nowhere. Extra time in Ohrid would also have been welcome.

5,
15/08/13

Name

Sheila

Tour Code

KOA

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

Lake Ohrid in Macedonia was heartstoppingly beautiful !The wine tasting sessions were fun. I loved Prizen and Skopje must win out in terms of having so many vast and spectacular monuments in the City Centre.

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

He was fantastic!!Best guide by far on any of the trips I have undertaken with. I am going to nominate him for Leader of the year award!

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Some of the hikes were arduous so a small group of us spent this time relaxing instead. It is unrelentingly hectic, but you see so much of this area of the Balkans it is well worth it! It is a wonderful road trip and if, like me, you find the history and politics of these countries intriguing then book it before they become the next hot new destinations!

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

Just do it!!

5,
15/08/13

Name

Roy

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

The Accursed Mountains of Albania and Kosovo are more spectacular and unspoiled than I had envisioned. Vertical snowcapped peaks and aquamarine colored streams were a real treat, even in the wet weather we experienced. I also enjoyed wine tasting in the Rahovec area of Kosovo.

Tour Leader Name

Endrit

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Our tour leader Endrit is Albanian and brought a local perspective to historic sites we visited as well as an understanding of the Balkans culture. He was persistent in making sure I was reunited with my checked bag which was misplaced somewhere on my flight from the U.S. He also did an good job of keeping us on schedule, even though this was the first time this tour was offered.

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Although the 3 walks on this tour are straight forward, they do require some effort and are more enjoyable with some level of fitness. Also, don't expect to use Euros in Macedonia or be able to photograph inside the monasteries on this tour; photography inside mosques is okay.

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

An extra night in Prizren or Ohrid would add to the enjoyment of this tour. Pristina's sights can be seen in a half day or less, allowing a night's stop elsewhere.

4.5,
15/08/13

Name

sheila asgari-tourzan

What Was The Highlight Or Most Memorable Moment Of Your Tour

wine tasting in Kosovo,paddling in Lake Ohrid admiring Skanderberg in Kruja!Pottering in Prizen

How Was Your Explore Tour Leader

Endrit was ace and didn't stand for no...!contextualising the politics and history of the region from his Albanian perspective was informative and very moving!!The driver Jamal was also a lovely guy and they were both so helpful with a great sense of fun! Best by far Explore Guide for me, and he deserves the Award!

What Tips Would You Give To Someone Else Booking This Tour

Tho I love walking,some of the treks were rather arduous especially if you are a city girl like me!!However you could just relax and have a coffee/chill instead if you didn't wanna hike - wait for the hikers in the bar!

Do You Have Anything Else To Add

Mostly the hotels were good. A couple of the mountain hotels er... not so good - if there are 5* hotels in the mountain regions with spa/pool I would be more than happy to pay extra! This trip is unrelentingly hectic - as it should be - but incorporating 2 nights near Lake Ohrid to relax would be heaven! Super trip - book it before the mongol hoards arrive!!Great group - thanks Guys!!